Biography

Little has been ascertained about Lukyn’s background. His father, Robert, lived in Isleham and in 1609 Lukyn himself leased a nearby capital messuage from Sir John Peyton*, also of Isleham, for the yearly rental of £10, six dozen pigeons and a dozen chickens.12 Upon his father’s death in 1616, Lukyn inherited the family house in Isleham and a capital messuage in Felham. However, as his mother was to continue to live in the house and enjoy the profits of the lands until she died, Lukyn’s only immediate gain was an annual income of £40 from lands rented by Peyton.13

Lukyn, a brewer by trade, must have been admitted to the freedom of Cambridge sometime before he became an alderman in January 1615. He was highly regarded by the corporation, for only six months later he was elected mayor. Elected to Parliament in 1624, Lukyn’s only committee appointment was to a bill assuring the manors of New Longport and Sevans, Kent, to the mayor of London, Martin Lumley (12 March).14 No reason for his interest in this measure has been discovered. In 1626 Lukyn was again chosen as mayor, probably agreeing to serve only at the last minute, as two other candidates had already refused the position.15

In 1639 Lukyn declined to serve a third term as mayor, possibly because of ill health and old age.16 His will, made on 12 Mar. 1641, was proved on 20 May following. Its principal beneficiary was his eldest surviving son and executor, John, who was bequeathed all of his father’s Cambridge properties and his booths and grounds at Stourbridge fair. The third son, William, was granted a house in Isleham and a lease of lands there held from King’s College. Another son, Isaac, received the messuage in which Lukyn had resided in Isleham, while Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, was bequeathed £500.17 No further member of the family sat in Parliament.